Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park, Sacramento (must see)

Completed in 1857, the Leland Stanford Mansion was originally a two-story home built for Sacramento merchant Shelton C. Fogus. Just four years later, in 1861, it was purchased by Leland Stanford, co-founder and president of the Central Pacific Railroad.

Stanford purchased the house shortly before taking office as governor and added a separate executive office to the property. After Stanford's term ended, the state rented the furnished house and office for his successor, Governor Frederick Low, while Governor Henry Haight later used Stanford's office until a new governor's office opened in the State Capitol in 1869.

The mansion's present appearance largely dates from a major remodeling carried out by the Stanfords in 1871-1872. The house was raised by one story to help protect it from flooding and greatly enlarged, transforming the original Renaissance Revival residence into an elaborate four-story mansion with Second Empire details. The finished home contained 44 rooms and covered more than 19,000 square feet.

In 1900, after the deaths of both her husband and son, Jane Stanford donated the mansion to the Catholic Diocese of Sacramento for use as a home for children. The Sisters of Mercy, and later the Sisters of Social Service, operated the property for most of the 20th century. The children's home eventually moved to a new location in 1987.

The State of California had purchased the property in 1978 for use as a state park. After an extensive restoration, the mansion reopened to the public in 2005. Today, it serves both as a historic house museum and as California's official reception center for visiting leaders and dignitaries. It is also used for official functions by the Governor's office and state legislature.

Keep in mind that tours can be affected by official functions held inside the mansion. Before heading over, it's a good idea to check that tours are available on your planned day. Visitors enter through the adjacent visitor center, and access to the mansion is by guided tour only.